Collapsible dispensing capsule



Oct. 25, 1938. R. P. SCHERER 2,134,489

COLLAPSIBLE DISPENSING CAPSULE Filed Sept. 23, 1937 IN VENTOR.

FOBE P SCfiE/PE/P ATTORNEYS.

I Patented Oct. 25, 1 938 UN STATES PATENT OFFICE Robert P. Scherer, Detroit, Mich. Application September 23, 1937, Serial No. 165,299

4 Claims.

This invention relates to collapsible dispensing capsules or the like.

The invention is illustrated as embodied in a collapsible liquid filled gelatin capsule of .the 5 kind that is commonly formed and filled as-part of a continuous manufacturing process.

Obviously suitable materials other than gelatin might be employed in the fabric of my improved capsule and this invention is applicable thereto. Equally obviously, content materials other than in liquid form might be used to fill the capsule. .The liquid filled gelatin capsule illustrated is merely an example of a structure embodying my invention.

An object is to provide a capsule or other similar collapsible container so constructed that it may be readily opened by the user without'the aid of instruments and for dispensing the cap sule content. Wherever the word capsule is used throughout the specification andv claims to designate the collapsible container here illustrated it is to be understood as including within its meaning a container of the character herein described.

More particularly, an object is to provide a capsule or container of the character described having a dispensing spout or nipple which is normally closed at its outer end and which is provided with a weakened'tubular portion or neck that is easily severable for dispensing material carried within the capsule.

An important feature of my invention is that the spout or nipple of my capsule is provided with an enlargement or hollow head at its outer end which is connected with the mainportion of the spout through a weakened tubular portion or neck of restricted diameter at which point the spout may be readily broken for dispensing the capsule content.

Other objects, advantages, and meritorious features of my improved capsule will more fully appear from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is an elevation of a capsule structure embodying my invention and partly broken away- Fig. 2 shows one method of severing the head of the nipple for dispensing the material from the interior of the capsule, and

Fig. 3 shows the capsule with the head of the nipple removed.

Capsules of the type wherein my invention is here illustrated have a wide spread use as receptacles for small dosages of various kinds of materials. The capsule content is commonly in liquid or ointment form. The body of the capsule which includes the dispensing spout ,or nipple is an integral structure and one improved method of fabricating the filling of such capsules is that illustrated in my Patent No. 1,970,396. In my patent the capsule illustrated is not provided. with a nipple but the method of fabricating a filling there illustrated might be here employed. The capsule body is collapsibleto permit an ejection of the contents. The filler is forced out through the nipple when the same is opened.

My invention relates to the provision of a capsule of this general type having a nipple portion which is readilybroken or severed to permit dispensing the capsule content. A purpose of the present invention is to provide such a capsule so. formed that the nipple may be easily severed or broken by the user with the fingers and without the aid of any instrument.

Such capsules are commonly formed of gelatin as this is a relatively cheap material in wide use for this purpose. Other materials which would permit ready collapse of the capsule body might, however, be used. The invention might be embodied in a capsule formed of any suitable material. The capsule body or the body portion of the tubular container or the like wherein the invention is embodied is indicated as Ill. The content material is indicated as 12. The capsule body has a spout or nipple portion 14. This nipple terminates'at its outer end in an enlargement or head portion l6.

As here illustrated this head portion I6 is hollow and communicates with the interior nipple portion through a weakened or restricted neck portion I8. The nipple is weakened at the neck 18 and constricted to a diameter less, than the diameter of the remaining portion of the nipple end of the head I6 so that the nipple may be readily severed at this weakened neck portion for dispensing the contents of the capsule. This severance may be accomplished by the user by pinching or twisting the weakened neck portion apart at such point. Fig-2 illustrates the twisting off of the head of the nipple to prepare the capsule for discharge of its contents as shown in Fig. 3.

What I claim is:

1. A gelatin capsule having a projecting tubular spout portion closed normally at its outer end, said capsule'being filled withcontent material dispensible through said spout when the same is open, saidspout portion terminating in its outer end in a hollow protuberance communicating with the main portion through a weakened tubular portion of restricted diameter as compared with the remainder of the spout.

2. A capsule formed of material adapted to permit collapsing of the capsule, said capsuie wall having a portion projecting therefrom in the form of a nipple communicating with the interior of the capsule and terminating at its outer end in a hollow head communicating with the remainder of the nipple through a weakened neck of a restricted diameter as compared with the said head, said capsule carrying content material dispensible through said nipple and neck portion.

3. An article of the class described comprising a bottle shaped body formed of material adapted to permit collapsing thereof, said body having a tubular neck portion terminating in a head at its outer end, said neck portion immediately adjacent to said head being weakened to permit ready removal of the head at such point.

4. An! article of the class described comprising a bottle shaped body formed of material adapted to permit collapsing thereof, said body having a tubular neck portion terminating in a head at its outer end, said neck portion immediately adjacent to said head being of restricted diameter to permit easy severance at such point for discharge of the contents of the body. 

